Health literacy: Questions to ask at doctor’s appointments

What parents can ask at medical appointments to ensure full understanding

We know managing a medical condition – whether long-term or a short-lived ailment – can be confusing and taxing on its own. But adding in medical terms, complicated medication schedules and more can make the process doubly confusing.

While CHOC is committed to ensuring patients and families fully understand their healthcare, here are a few clarifying questions that you can keep handy the next time you are at a doctor’s appointment.

That way, you can ensure you know exactly what you need to know and you can be the best advocate you can be for yourself or your child.

General questions to ask at doctor’s appointments

• “Can you explain that again in simpler words?”
• “I don’t understand. Can you tell me what that means?”
• “Can you give me an example so I can understand better?”
• “I’m not sure I understand. Could you go over that one more time?”

Questions to ask about medications

• “Why is my child taking this medication?”
• “What is the name of the medicine, and how does it help my child?
• “Are there any side effects we should watch for?”
• “What happens if we miss a dose?”

Questions to ask about a diagnosis or treatment

• “Can you explain what my diagnosis means for my child’s health?”
• “What are our treatment options?”
• “What will happen if we don’t do this treatment?”
• “Can we go over the risks and benefits again?”

Questions to ask about next steps

• “What should we do after we leave here?”
• “When should we come back for a follow-up visit?”
• “Who can I call if I have questions later?”
• “Can you write down the most important things I need to remember?”

Questions to ask about additional support

• “Can I have a written summary of what we talked about?”
• “Is there someone who speaks my language that can explain this to me?”
• “Can you point me to resources or videos that explain this more clearly?”

Remember: It’s OK to ask questions until you fully understand. Your physician and care team are there to support you. After all, you are an integral part of the care team!